I focus on problems pertaining to human evolution using theoretical and methodological tools from Human Behavioral Ecology.  I am specifically concerned with how competition, cooperation, social status, and hierarchy establishment are related to human social and ecological contexts. I am currently focused on the use of social network analysis to map social structure, or human social niches, in “egalitarian” and “complex” communities. I am also interested in the application of spatial analysis and agent-based modeling to questions in my field. Other academic interests: hunter-gatherers and the evolution of complexity (Australia and New Guinea), primatology, human population studies, genetics, demography and life-history theory, and the subcultures of outdoor pursuits and extreme sports.